Academic Transfer Pathway

Cooperative program leading to the Associate of Science Degree and the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science at Sam Houston State University

Computer Science is an inter-disciplinary field encompassing mathematics, logic, science, communication, and engineering. Fundamental to a study of Computer Science is the development of intellectual tools and practical skills in the design and implementation of technology-based solutions to real world scientific, business, and human problems. The Sam Houston State University undergraduate computer science degree program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (CAC/ABET). Degrees programs include Computer Science, Digital Forensics, and Information Assurance.

The Computer Science program offers major study plans for students wishing to pursue careers as a analyst/designer/programmer/software engineer (scientific, engineering, business), as network and database administrators, as digital forensics and information security professionals, or to prepare for advanced studies at the graduate level. Minor study plans are offered which can be tailored to the needs of students majoring in almost any field. A plan leading to secondary teacher certification in Computer Science is also offered.

The baccalaureate degree in Computer Science consists of 6 components:

A 26-hour computer science core. This represents the body of knowledge that all computer science professionals should know.

A 16-hour science component. This comprises eight semester credit hours in each of two natural sciences.

A 17-hour mathematics component including Calculus I/II (Mth142 and MTH143) and Discrete Mathematics (MATH 2395). The scientific/engineering mathematics sequence provides access to all career opportunities including business. MATH 2413, MATH 2414, and MTH2395 must be completed prior to registering in upper division (junior and senior level) courses.

A 31-hour general education component.

Electives to bring the total hours to 120.

Participants of 2+2 programs at community colleges are especially welcome and encouraged to complete the Bachelor of Science degree at Sam Houston State University. Additional information may be found at http://cs.shsu.edu/.

Sam Houston State University provides a comprehensive computing environment for students. The Computer Services Department operates a large number of computing laboratories containing desktop computers, and workstations. A variety of operating systems, network protocols, programming languages and application packages are available. Students have full access to the Internet and E-mail facilities when on campus and through dial-up facilities from off-campus. In addition to the institutional facilities, the Department of Computer Science operates a range of lab facilities to support its mission and programs, including a network lab, data recovery and a network security lab. The department operates a 40-node symmetric multiprocessing system for use in parallel processing, digital forensics, cryptanalysis and steganographic research. The department also has access to state of the art visualization facilities. As part of its operations, the department of Computer Science houses the Sam Houston State University Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics, a center dedicated to the development of digital forensics training for law enforcement personnel and research opportunities into forensics and security issues.

The following table lists transfer courses leading to a major in Computer Science. It is extremely important for the student to complete the equivalent of our Computer Science I and II courses, together with Calculus I, Calculus II, and Discrete Mathematics if the student intends to take junior-level computer science, digital forensics, or information assurance courses upon arrival.

TCCN

SHSU

Credit

COSC 1436

COSC 1436

4

COSC 1437

COSC 1437

4

COSC 2325

COSC 2329

3

COSC 2320

COSC 2347 (CS 278 “C”)

3

Mathematics Sequence

MATH 2413

MATH 2413

4

MATH 2414

MATH 2414

4

MATH 2395

3

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SHSU Core Curriculum

Transfer courses specific to the university major you have selected appear in the section above. Transfer students are encouraged to maximize transfer courses required for their major as described above in addition to core courses at the transfer institution. Most university majors were meant to be taken over a 4 year period. Completion of freshman and sophomore level courses in the major with appropriate core courses helps transfer students to graduate in the minimum amount of time at minimum cost. The university core appears below for the convenience of those who have not yet selected a major. If you cannot select a specific major, at least try to select the area (e.g., science, criminal justice, business, education, nursing, etc.) in which you are most likely to eventually graduate and select transfer core courses that will support your selection of academic endeavor.

As a final note, transfer students completing "residence requirements" at state supported Texas colleges are typically eligible to receive the associate degree by a process known as "reverse transfer" after having accumulated 60 (to 62) or more combined college transfer and SHSU hours. Reverse transfer allows students to count SHSU courses to the bachelor degree as well as apply the hours to the associate degree. The residency requirement for most colleges is 15 to 16 hours with a few colleges requiring 24 hours. SHSU enthusiastically supports associate degrees via reverse transfer with all state supported colleges.

The Core Curriculum at Sam Houston State University (to be used by all incoming students as of fall 2014) contains 42 semester credit hours, encompassing nine component areas. Each component area has a minimum credit hour requirement and a selection of specific courses that may be used to satisfy the requirement. The chart below details Sam Houston State University courses and their Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) equivalents for college transfer students which comprise SHSU’s core curriculum.

Many SHSU disciplines including the sciences, business, and education require specific courses from the SHSU core as degree specific graduation requirements. To minimize cost and time to complete degree requirements always select SHSU/transfer core courses specified as degree requirements in your intended major. If you have not decided on a major select core courses supporting you intended area of academic concentration.

In general, Bachelor of Arts degrees have a foreign language requirement. Most Bachelor of Science degrees require additional mathematics and lab science requirements. Refer to the university catalog under which you plan to file for graduation for your specific degree requirements.

**** If you do not see a Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) mapping a specific core course to your transfer institution, please go to https://ww2.shsu.edu/regr27wp/ and select your institution from the dropdown menu. The result will list all currently mapped transfer courses from your institution to SHSU courses.

SHSU requires 4 hour science courses consisting of 3 hours lecture with a 1 hour lab component. Transfer institutions may indicate this combination with a 4 hour course number such as BIOL 1408 or as separate lecture and labs such as BIOL 1308/1108. The two course numbering systems are equivalent. Common 3 hour lecture and separate lab course numbers are shown for equivalent or acceptable transfer credit. If you do not see a Texas Common Course NUmber (TCCN) mapping a specific core course to your transfer institution, please go to https://ww2.shsu.edu/regr27wp/ and select your institution from the dropdown menu. The result will list all currently mapped transfer courses specific to your institution to SHSU courses.

HIST 2311 World History from the Dawn of Civilization through the Middle Ages

HIST 2311

HIST 2312 World History from the Renaissance to the Age of Imperialism

HIST 2312

MCOM 1330 Analysis of Electronic Culture

MUSI 1379 Survey of World Music Cultures

PHIL 2306 Contemporary Moral Issues

PHIL 2306

PHIL 2361 Introduction to Philosophy

PHIL 1301

SGNL 2311 Intermediate American Sign Language I

SGNL 2311

SGNL 2312 Intermediate American Sign Language II

SGNL 2312

SOCI 2319 Introduction to Ethnic Studies

SOCI 2319

SPAN 2311 Intermediate Spanish I

SPAN 2311

SPAN 2312 Intermediate Spanish II

SPAN 2312

Component Area V: Creative Arts- 3 Hours Required

SHSU 4 Digit Course Number

TCCN (if applicable)

AGRI 2399

ARTS 1301

ARTS 1301

ARTS 1301

ARTS 1302 Exploring Contemporary Art

ARTS 1303 Survey I: Pre-Renaissance Art History

ARTS 1303

FACS 1360 Basic Principles of Design

FAMC 2301 Creative Arts Seminar

MUSI 1301 Introduction to the Study of Music

MUSI 1301

MUSI 1306 Music Appreciation

MUSI 1306

MUSI 2348 Survey of World Music Cultures

MUSI 1308

MUSI 2364 History of Rock, Jazz and Popular Music

MUSI 1310

Component Area VI: U.S. History- 6 Hours Required

SHSU 4 Digit Course Number

TCCN (if applicable)

HIST 1301 American History to 1876

HIST 1301

HIST 1302 American History from 1876

HIST 1302

Component Area VII: Political Science/Government- 6 Hours Required

SHSU 4 Digit Course Number

TCCN (if applicable)

POLS 2305 American Government

POLS 2306 Texas Government

Component Area VIII: Social and Behavioral Sciences- 3 Hours Required

SHSU 4 Digit Course Number

TCCN (if applicable)

AGRI 2360

SOCI 1301

BESL 2301 Multicultural Influences on Learning

COMS 2386 Interpersonal Communication

SPCH 1318

CRIJ 2361 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

ECON 2300 Introduction to Economics

ECON 1301

ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics

ECON 2301

ECON 2302 Principles of Microeconomics

ECON 2302

GEOG 1321 People, Place and Environment: An Introduction to Geography

GEOG 1300

HLTH 2383 Multicultural Health Issues

PHIL 2303 Critical Thinking

PHIL 2303

PSYC 1301 Introduction to Psychology

PSYC 2301

SOCI 1301 Principles of Sociology

SOCI 1301

SOCI 1306 Social Problems

SOCI 1306

Component Area IX: Component Area Option- 4 Hours Required

SHSU 4 Digit Course Number

TCCN (if applicable)

One additional course in component area 4 OR:

BUAD 2321 Design and Presentation of Business Projects

COMS 1361 Public Speaking

COMS 2382 Communication for Business and Professionals

MCOM 1371 Audio Production and Performance

1 Hour Required:

ECON 1100 Economics of Social Problems

KINE 2115 Lifetime Health and Wellness

PHED 1164

NGLI 1101 Research in the Digital Age

The 4th credit hour of MATH 1410

The 4th credit hour of MATH 1420

MATH 2413

Most degrees require a minimum of 120 hours with 42 advanced hours (3000-level and 4000-level courses). Some degrees require additional hours. All students are required to complete at least six writing-enhanced courses accumulating a minimum of 18 semester hours towards degree completion. Six of the hours must come from the student’s major field of study. SHSU students who have accumulated more than 60 hours may be blocked from enrolling in upper division courses until they have completed their math, English composition, and 4 to 8 hours of lab science.

In general, the Bachelor of Arts degree requires 8 hours of lab science and the Bachelor of Science degree requires 16 hours of lab science. Many majors require specific math and science courses from the core to apply for graduation. Applicants for the Bachelor of Arts degree should consult their major department web page or catalogue for foreign language requirements. Many colleges including Business and Education have additional prerequisites for registration in upper-level (junior/senior) classes including GPA restrictions and completion of lower-level (freshman/sophomore) course work.Prior to enrolling in core classes, students are encouraged to review specific degree requirements for their major. Selection of major-specified core courses reduces the total number of hours required for graduation.

In general it is not to the advantage of transfer students to simply take courses that transfer. The most desirable goal is typically to only select courses from the core and major lower-level (first two university years) which not only transfer but satisfy degree requirements for graduation in the major to which you aspire.

Students are encouraged to select the university catalog offering them the most advantages with respect to degree completion. The respective university and/or college catalog selected for graduation determines final degree requirements.

Students are encouraged to select the university catalog offering them the most advantages with respect to degree completion. The respective university and/or college catalog selected for graduation determines final degree requirements.

Sam Houston State UniversityA Member of The Texas State University System